Why localization matters?
The difference between a game that thrives in global markets and one that struggles often comes down to localization. Players expect seamless gameplay in their native language – one where dialogues, humour, instructions and cultural references feel authentic and natural.
Here’s why investing in professional video game localization is essential:
- Enhance player immersion – poorly translated content disrupts the gaming experience and can drive players away.
- Boost global revenue – countries like Japan, South Korea, Germany and China are gaming powerhouses, but require culturally adapted content.
- Ensure market compliance – some markets have strict regulations regarding game content, age ratings and cultural sensitivities.
- Strengthen brand reputation – a well-localized game builds player trust and enhances brand loyalty.
A successful localization strategy ensures that your game feels like it was originally designed for each target audience, rather than being a simple translation.
Why choose Skrivanek?
Industry expertise
Our game localization specialists are experienced linguists, gamers and cultural experts.
ISO-certified quality
We adhere to strict quality assurance protocols, ensuring consistent and accurate translations.
Seamless project management
A dedicated project manager coordinates all aspects of your video game localization project, providing a single point of contact.
Flexible and scalable solutions
Whether you need localization for an indie game or an AAA title, we adapt to your unique requirements.
Confidentiality & data security
We handle all game files, scripts and assets with strict security protocols to protect your intellectual property.
Our satisfied clients
What We Offer – Comprehensive Game Localization Services
🎮 Dialogue & narrative adaptation
Character dialogue and storytelling are the backbone of player immersion. Simply translating text isn’t enough – tone, humour, personality and emotions must be preserved and adapted for each audience.
- We analyse the characters’ personalities, relationships and story arcs to ensure their voices remain authentic in every language.
- Context matters: a warrior’s battle cry should be as powerful in German as it is in Japanese, while a rogue’s sarcastic quips need to land properly in French.
- We adapt quest descriptions, mission briefings and lore so that the story flows naturally across all target markets.
- Game-specific terminology and genre conventions (e.g., fantasy, sci-fi, historical fiction) are accurately localized to maintain genre integrity.
🔹 Example: A humorous, pun-heavy dialogue in English might need a complete rewrite in another language to ensure it remains witty and engaging.
📜 Cultural adaptation
Every region has unique cultural expectations, humour, taboos and preferences. What works in one country might be confusing, or even offensive, in another. We ensure that your game feels authentic and relatable in every market.
- Character names, locations and references: some names may need to be adapted to avoid unintended meanings or to fit local naming conventions.
- Humour and idioms: many jokes and wordplays don’t translate directly. Our team recreates humour in ways that resonate with local players.
- Symbolism and gestures: hand signs, imagery and cultural symbols can carry different meanings in various regions.
- Censorship and compliance: some markets (e.g., China, Germany) have strict content regulations that require adjustments to violence, political references and religious themes.
🔹 Example: A gesture that’s harmless in one country might be offensive in another, requiring visual edits or alternative animations.
🎤 Voiceover
Voice acting is one of the most powerful storytelling tools in gaming. Poorly localized voiceover can ruin immersion, while high-quality voiceovers enhance character depth and engagement.
- Lip-syncing and timing adjustments ensure that dialogue matches character animations naturally.
- We preserve the tone, energy and emotion of each performance while adapting to different languages’ speech patterns.
- Multiple delivery styles: whether you need dramatic cinematic dialogue, energetic battle cries or comedic banter, we tailor the performance to fit your game’s tone.
- Recording in state-of-the-art studios with experienced audio engineers to ensure crisp, high-quality output.
🔹 Example: A deep, commanding voice in the original game must have a similarly powerful presence in every localized version.
📌 UI/UX localization
A game’s user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) must be as intuitive and seamless in every language as it is in the original.
- We translate and adapt menus, HUD elements, tooltips, inventory descriptions and in-game notifications.
- Text expansion/contraction: some languages take up more space than others. We adjust UI elements to prevent overlapping text or design inconsistencies.
- Font and typography optimization: certain languages (e.g., Chinese, Arabic) require different fonts and right-to-left text alignment.
- Button and control labelling: ensuring that key mappings and action prompts remain clear and natural for players in different regions.
🔹 Example: German text tends to be longer than English, so UI spacing must be adjusted accordingly to maintain a clean and readable design.
🎞️ Subtitling and audio syncing
For games with heavy dialogue or cinematic sequences, precise subtitling and audio syncing are essential for player immersion.
- We create time-coded, properly formatted subtitles that sync naturally with the spoken dialogue.
- Lip-sync localization ensures that audio fits mouth movements for natural speech flow.
- Speaker differentiation: proper use of formatting, colours or icons to indicate which character is speaking.
- Subtitles adapted for readability: font size, positioning and contrast are optimised to ensure a comfortable reading experience.
🔹 Example: In an action-packed cutscene, subtitles must be clear, well-timed and positioned to avoid blocking critical visual elements.
🔎 Localization quality assurance (LQA)
Even the best localization work must undergo rigorous testing to ensure it functions flawlessly in the final game build.
- Linguistic testing: we verify grammar, spelling, terminology consistency and cultural accuracy.
- Functional testing: ensuring that localized text fits within the UI and does not break game mechanics.
- Audio-visual synchronization testing: checking that voiceovers align properly with character animations.
- Gameplay immersion testing: ensuring that the localized version delivers the same emotional and gameplay impact as the original.
🔹 Example: A poorly formatted subtitle that covers an important action prompt could frustrate players and disrupt gameplay.
🌍 Multilingual localization
We provide game localization services in 110+ languages, covering 200+ language combinations, allowing you to reach players worldwide.
- European, Asian and Middle Eastern markets: from Spanish and French to Chinese, Japanese and Arabic.
- Emerging gaming markets: localizing for regions with growing gaming audiences, such as Brazil, India and Indonesia.
- Regional language variants: adapting content for European vs. Latin American Spanish, British vs. American English, and other key distinctions.
🔹 Example: A game localized for Brazil will use Brazilian Portuguese, while a game for Portugal will require European Portuguese with different grammar and vocabulary choices.
🔧 Technical integration and emerging technologies
Our game localization process supports the latest gaming technologies and development workflows.
- VR & AR localization: adapting virtual reality and augmented reality games for different languages while maintaining immersion.
- Cloud gaming optimization: ensuring smooth localization for cloud-based gaming platforms with real-time streaming.
- AI & machine learning adaptation: supporting AI-driven dialogue systems and procedural content in multiple languages.
- Compatibility across platforms: PC, consoles, mobile and cloud-based gaming environments.
🔹 Example: In a VR game, localized text placement must ensure that players can comfortably read subtitles without breaking immersion.
A tailored approach to every game
At Skrivanek, we don’t offer a one-size-fits-all localization process. Every game has unique storytelling mechanics, technical requirements and player expectations, and we adapt our services accordingly.
✔ Scalable solutions for indie studios and AAA developers
✔ Custom workflows designed to meet your budget and timeline
✔ Agile and flexible approach to integrate with your development pipeline
🎮 Your game deserves to be played by the world. Let’s make it happen.
How it works – Our process
Consultation and strategy development
- We analyse your game’s content, genre and target audience.
- We define the scope of localization: text, UI, audio, cultural adaptation, QA testing.
Translation and linguistic adaptation
- Our expert linguists translate and adapt scripts, UI and in-game text.
- We ensure that cultural references, humour and tone remain intact.
Voiceover, subtitling and audio localization
- Professional native-language voice artists bring characters to life.
- Subtitling and audio are synchronised for natural gameplay.
Quality assurance and localization testing (LQA)
- Linguistic testing ensures fluency and clarity.
- Functional testing ensures proper text display, UI integration and compatibility.
Delivery and post-localization support
- Final localized versions are delivered, ready for integration.
- We provide ongoing support for updates, DLCs and expansions.
Your game is now ready to take on the world!
